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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 14, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Used To Be Color Blind

The song of the day for Friday, January 15, 2021, is “I Used To Be Color Blind.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “I Used To Be Color Blind” for the 1938 film Carefree, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Tony Bennett and Lee Musiker have a nice little exchange in the documentary film The Zen of Bennett about this song after Bennett discovers that the shoeshine person mistakenly shined his black shoes with brown polish.

About This Version

As I do every Thursday afternoon, I was listening to John Pizzarelli’s online show It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere: A Musical Social From A Distance. One of the songs he played this week was “I Used To Be Color Blind” and he mentioned that he loved Tony’s recording of the song. He also said that his dad, Bucky Pizzarelli, played on the recording.

Tony Bennett recorded “I Used To Be Color Blind” in 1975 for the album Tony Bennett Sings “Life Is Beautiful”, released on Bennett’s Improv label. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

I Used To Be Color Blind

Listen to I Used To Be Color Blind on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“I Used To Be Color Blind,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.”

You can catch It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere: A Musical Social From A Distance on Facebook on the John Pizzarelli page or on Instagram- JohnPizzarelliOfficial. It starts every Thursday at 6:00 ET and lasts about an hour. His wife Jessica Molaskey joins every week and she sings several songs each week. Each Monday, John posts about the upcoming show and asks for your request.

You can also catch John and Jessica on Radio Deluxe, which is one of the best shows ever for jazz, cabaret, and show tunes. They almost always feature at least one Tony Bennett recording. You can find more information on radiodeluxe.com with information on how to listen. This show runs for about two hours. Both of these are great fun and you’ll learn a lot about the songs and the people who sang them.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Irving Berlin, Jessica Molaskey, John Pizzarelli, Radio Deluxe, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, Torrie Zito

December 30, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Thursday, December 31, 2020, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee, and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

I cannot think of a better song to end the year 2020.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for his album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

There’ll Be Some Changes Made

Listen to There’ll Be Some Changes Made on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Benton Overstreet, Billy Higgins, LIfe is Beautiful, Tony Bennett, Torrie Zito

December 29, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Yesterday I Heard The Rain

The song of the day for is “Yesterday I Heard The Rain.”

The Year of Tony Bennett joins music lovers from all over in mourning for Armando Manzanero, composer of today’s song, who died on December 28, 2020, from Covid-19.

About This Song

Entitled “Esta Tarde Vi Llover” in the original Spanish, is one of Armando Manzanero’s most highly regarded songs, written in 1968. Born in 1935, Manzanero studied music in Mexico City and composed his first song at the age of 15. At the age of 16, he became a professional pianist. His songs, like “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” are beautiful and romantic songs. He is considered to be one of the most successful composers from Latin America. Gene Lees wrote the English lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” in 1968 for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Esta Tarde Vi Llover) – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Esta Tarde Vi Llover) – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Yesterday I Heard The Rain,” as well as the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Armando Manzanero, Gene Lees, Tony Bennett, Torrie Zito, Yesterday I Heard The Rain

November 8, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Monday, November 9, 2020, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

Written by George and Ira Gershwin, “Hi-Ho” has been called ‘Gershwin’s least-known great song’ by blogger Walter Rimler. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and slated for the movie Shall We Dance featuring Fred Astaire dancing in the streets of Paris. The song was cut due to concerns over the costs for filming the sequence. The song faded from then and was only published in 1968. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” in 1968 for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain, featuring an arrangement by Torrie Zito.

Hi-Ho – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Hi-Ho – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Hi-Ho,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Tony Bennett, Torrie Zito, Yesterday I Heard The Rain

November 7, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Get Happy

The song of the day for Sunday, November 8, 2020, is “Get Happy.”

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1930 The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful song and dance performance in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” for his 1968 album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

Get Happy – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Get Happy – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Get Happy,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available from Apple Music.

We also have Judy Garland from Summer Stock:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Harold Arlen, Judy Garland, Ted Koehler, Tony Bennett, Torrie Zito, Yesterday I Heard The Rain

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